The Pelopaeus 



To make sure of this, I stole a few pellets 

 from the busy collectors and, on comparing 

 them with other pellets gathered in the same 

 place and rolled by my own fingers, found 

 no difference between them in appearance 

 or in properties. The result of this com- 

 parison is confirmed by an examination of 

 the nest. The structures of the Chali- 

 codomae are solid masonry, capable of re- 

 sisting without any protection the prolonged 

 action of rain and snow; those of the 

 Pelopaei are flimsy work, devoid of cohesion 

 and absolutely unfitted to withstand the 

 vicissitudes of the open air. A drop of 

 water laid upon their surface softens the 

 spot touched and reduces it to mud again, 

 while a sprinkling equal to an average 

 shower turns it into pap. They are nothing 

 more than dried slime and become slime 

 again as soon as they are wetted. 



The thing is obvious: the Wasp does not 

 improve the mud to make it into mortar; 

 she uses it as it is. It is no less obvious 

 that nests of this sort are not made for 

 out-of-doors, even if the larva were not of 

 such a chilly humour. A shelter that keeps 

 them under cover is indispensable, other- 

 wise they would go to pieces at the first 

 shower of rain. This explains, apart alto- 



79 



